Author's Note: It's been long, I know but I think it was worth the wait. Please review, I kind of need a little moral support right now :) plus I want your opinion wether I should or shouldn't include Jenny /Dan or Lilly/Rufus's romance in the story...
Serena was having the time of her life. Gentlemen approached her from all tables and soon she was surrounded by a little crowd of suitors. She may have had a little too much to drink and was giggling girlishly at everything anyone said; she noticed some of the older ladies eyeing her disapprovingly and she resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at them. She had moved away from the table she previously shared with Blair a long time ago, hoping to give her and Mr. Archibald some privacy. Plus, she was getting bored with their talk about family heritage and business.
Blair pretended to be listening to Nate as she kept an eye on her best friend… who was currently not acting like a lady at all. To start with, Serena had already drunk three glasses more of what was commonly accepted on a lady and was laughing outrageously, flirting with most of the gentlemen around her. Blair knew she should just stay with Nate because he had proved to be a marriageable man and would most definitely be on her candidate list of possible fiancés… but she knew she had certain obligations that came with having a best friend: one of which was trying her best to stop her best friend from ruining her reputation on their first debutante party.
Chuck was trying not to smile as he saw the petite, brunette girl who had him obsessed for over an hour suddenly stand up and march towards her blonde friend. However, he could not hold the smile any longer when he caught a glimpse of Nathaniel's totally confused expression when she left him midsentence. Chuck smirked as he witnessed how a serious-looking Blair tried to drag a tipsy Serena out of her little entourage of admirers; Chuck found the scene so amusing he didn't notice Nathaniel strolling towards his corner until he directly spoke in a discouraged manner.
- It's hopeless my friend. The young lady won't give me the time of the day, I've spent most of the night trying to impress her and she just walked away on me… I don't know what to do since I am sure she is the lady my mother, Lady Vanderbilt, would most approve of to be my future wife.
Chuck tried not to be happy when he heard about Blair's disinterest in his best friend, the golden boy; however, he still felt like he was betraying Nate every time he planned a new way to approach her. Chuck finally decided the most important thing right now was making Nate enjoy the party and notice all the other eligible debutantes who could be glad to become his wife… so he could finally have Blair to play with all by himself.
- Nathaniel, just come with me and have a drink. Forget the lady and her friend. Come on, I see some charming ladies sitting on a table near the bar.
Chuck took the lead and Nate followed miserably, he was very confused: on one hand, he really enjoyed the company of Serena and thought she was the prettiest lady of all; however, on the other hand, Blair Waldorf was the lady who seemed born to be his wife, the lady his parents will approve and will encourage him to marry. As much as Nate wanted to please his parents, he couldn't shake the inevitable attraction he felt towards Serena.
- Come on Serena. You are hardly acting like a lady now. Look at how all the honorable ladies are staring at us for making such a scene! – said Blair trying to pull Serena away from her table of male suitors.
- Oh come on B. Please, it won't hurt to have a little fun, plus, it is our first debutante ball after all. – answered Serena taking another sip of the liquor on her glass.
- I am sorry S, but there are some times when a best friend does all she can to try and save her best friend from making a scandal but right now I'm just giving up. – replied Blair sadly and quickly walked away.
Blair sat on her own at the empty table, keeping an eye on Serena. This was not how she imagined spending her first debutante ball.
- Hey there Serena, I noticed your friend just left you to have fun on your own. Mind if I join you? – asked Georgina Sparks as she sat on an empty chair on Serena's right.
- Not at all Lady Sparks. I was in fact hoping we got to be better acquainted. – answered a smiling Serena.
Chuck was trying hard to listen to Nate's rambling about how his family was always trying to control him but he was just getting bored. He stole a glance at Serena's table, where he'd last seen her, but only saw another brunette, Georgina Sparks. He stole another glance at the dance floor and another at the corner where she had sat with Serena after their arrival. No sign of her anywhere. It was impossible she had just left before the dance had even started. Chuck noticed Nate had stopped talking and was looking darkly at the bottom of his glass.
- Have you considered leaving yet Nathaniel? You must not. The night is young. The dance hasn't even started. Looks at you: sitting at the bar and draining your sorrows in alcohol over women no less. If you weren't my oldest friend I'd say you are just giving up too easily.
Nate raised his eyes to stare into his best friend's handsome face.
- So what do you suggest I do now? – inquired Nate.
- Go after her if you want your parent's approval so much. If she is cold towards you then you may be free to have some fun. – answered Chuck like it was the most obvious thing in the world though he was sure Blair would reject Nate again.
With one last drink from his glass, Nate strolled towards the farthest end of the ballroom, looking for Blair. He finally found her on a small balcony that overlooked a garden; he approached her cautiously and quietly closed the glass door behind him, successfully drowning all the noise of the ball. He walked silently towards her, trying not to startle her. When he got close enough he finally opened his mouth to speak but she suddenly turned around.
- Pray tell me why do you enjoy creeping up on me? – said Blair, but seeing who she was talking to she quickly added. – I am so sorry I referred to you like that Mr. Archibald. I thought you were someone else.
Nate remembered how Chuck had said the most important thing when courting a woman was always to praise her so he answered:
- No need for any excuses. It is no wonder why any man would follow a lady as graceful as you Miss Waldorf.
Blair blushed at the praise and lowered her thick, dark lashes. Nate was the perfect gentleman for her, she realized. And he was clearly interested… Blair tried curling her lips in the most seductive smile she knew.
- Mr. Archibald, you are the most charming young gentleman I've ever known.
Nate smiled down at her and for the first time that night noticed how truly pretty she was. Maybe she wasn't his type at all but she still was a very beautiful woman. He couldn't help noticing how she looked especially lovely under the moonbeams and didn't hesitate on making a comment about it out loud.
- The moonbeam rays make you look even prettier tonight Miss Waldorf.
Blair just smiled sheepishly up at him, like a lady should under said circumstances. Nathaniel slowly bent down and took her gloved hand.
The hostess suddenly walked up to the middle of the dance floor and the room fell quiet; she had an announcement to make:
- Ladies and gentlemen, the debutante dance has officially started – as soon as she finished her announcement, the musicians started playing and the dance floor slowly started filling with couples.
Serena and Georgina were giggling and couldn't seem to stop because as soon as the music started all the men surrounding them requested they dance with them. They agreed to randomly choose a dance partner and then switch, they took the hand of whichever gentleman was near and nearly dragged him towards the dance floor. One thing was sure: they loved the attention they were getting, especially Georgina.
Chuck Bass was currently wondering why it was taking so long for Blair to reject Nathaniel; he was expectantly waiting to watch them both enter the ballroom. He was keeping an eye on the balcony door Nate had disappeared into almost half an hour earlier. Chuck drained his glass of scotch as he figured Blair was probably trying not to hut his feelings; he was confident that once Nate gave up on her she would be an easy target, an easy conquest for him.
Chuck Bass was surprised when he saw Nathaniel reenter the ballroom smiling confidently, hand in hand with Blair, who had the most joyful smile in the world… almost as joyful as if the man of her dreams had asked her to dance with him all night long. Which is what happened for the rest of the night: Nate and Blair danced together and couldn't seem to be able to detach from each other, while Chuck just watched from the sideline and always tried to drain his glass of scotch.
